SWIMMING STROKES BASIC PRINCIPLES AND COMMON ERRORS 2018 by Pete Schwenker (cell)

Transcription

1 SWIMMING STROKES BASIC PRINCIPLES AND COMMON ERRORS 2018 by Pete Schwenker (cell) GUIDELINES for Warm-up recommended for ALL MEETS (& ESP. prelims and finals) -A designated supervisor SHOULD be on deck for the ENTIRE warm-up. (ACTIVE, not just observing.) *** -Swimmers SHALL enter the water FEET FIRST except for practice starts which are limited to specific lanes and DIRECTLY SUPERVISED by each swimmer's coach. *** (SHOULD BE HAPPENING ALL SEASON! PRACTICES TOO!) -Place a cone marker or similar sign on the starting blocks when NOT used in lanes for 1 way sprints. -Specify ONE or MORE lanes for each team as ONE WAY sprint lanes about 2/3 of the way through the warm-up with racing starts from the blocks permitted from the STARTING END of the pool ONLY. *** (NO OTHER DIVES SHOULD BE TAKEN FROM THE BLOCKS *** *** AND/OR SIDE OF THE POOL.) *** -MAY specify lanes for relay start practice during the LAST 15 minutes of the warm-up. -Coaches SHOULD stand at THE STARTING END OF THE POOL and VERBALLY start swimmers for sprint or pace work and relay starts. -Swimmers should NOT be allowed ON a starting block when a backstroker is executing a start in the SAME lane. FREESTYLE - -START: Forward start is used. -BODY: ANY body position or COMBINATION of positions MAY be used. -UNDERWATER: MAY be COMPLETELY submerged for NOT MORE than 15 meters (16.4 yards) at start and turns. Head MUST BREAK the REGULAR SURFACE AT OR BEFORE the 15m mark. (Markers on POOL and/or lane lines.)??? DON'T use different markers for each lane/swimmer. Use marker on the pool deck or use the float that is farthest from the start end unless it is completely out of whack. -ARMS: ANY arm stroke or COMBINATION of strokes MAY be used. -KICK: ANY kick or COMBINATION of kicks MAY be used. -TURN: Turn in ANY manner. SOME PART of the body MUST contact the wall at the turn. -FINISH: SOME PART of the body MUST contact the touchpad/wall after completion of the required distance. MOST COMMON ERRORS FREESTYLE -MISS the wall at the turn. (CAN GO BACK and touch the wall IF miss it the first time.) - Corkscrew or other showboating/taunting = unsporting conduct. BACKSTROKE - -START: Backstroke start is used. -BODY: On back. Shoulders MUST NOT turn PAST VERTICAL to either side, R & L, EXCEPT during turns.

2 -UNDERWATER: MAY be COMPLETELY submerged after starts 2. and turns for a distance of NOT MORE than 15 meters. (Head must BREAK the NORMAL RESTING WATER SURFACE by that point.) -After breaking the surface of the water, the swimmer MUST REMAIN on the surface (any part of the swimmer's body ON or ABOVE the surface) except for turns. This includes the FINISH! -ARMS: ANY arm stroke or COMBINATION of arm strokes MAY be used. (Double arms OK.) -KICK: ANY kick or COMBINATION of kicks MAY be used.(scissor and/or breaststroke kicks OK.) -TURN: SOME PART of the body MUST contact the wall. -AFTER the head has passed the flags, the upper shoulder MAY rotate past the vertical toward the breast BEFORE the touch as long as the rotation is accompanied by the BEGINNING of the turning action OR CONTINUATION INTO THE WALL. NOT REQUIRED to flip, but flipping IS faster. -The beginning of the turning action MAY be accomplished by a SINGLE arm pull OR SIMULTANEOUS DOUBLE arm pull OR a DOWNWARD movement of the head. (NO additional arm pulls are allowed. NO sculling and/or dog-paddle allowed AFTER pull(s).) -ONLY KICKING and GLIDING into the wall/flip are permitted. -Turn in ANY manner. (Again, NOT REQUIRED to flip.) -MUST be AT or PAST VERTICAL onto the back, BY THE SHOULDERS, BEFORE the FEET LEAVE the wall. -'Open' turn (touch on back and turn)? Old fashioned flip(touch on back and flip)? BOTH are OK! -FINISH: MUST touch the touchpad/wall with ANY part of the body, while STILL ON THE BACK and with some part of the body AT or ABOVE the surface after completion of the required distance. MOST COMMON ERRORS BACKSTROKE -Entering the water BEFORE the starter/referee gives the signal/command to STEP IN. (JUMP IN?) Cannonball? Dive in? -NOT enter FEET FIRST or stay in the IMMEDIATE area. (Usually stay within arms length of the wall.) -Go BEYOND 15 meters before the HEAD breaks the SURFACE after the start and turns. (Especially last heat of older kids during first length at the start. Few maybe 2 nd length too?) -Rotate to stomach BEFORE reaching the flags. (Head is factor at flags.. SHOULDERS re: back.) -MORE than ONE SINGLE arm pull AFTER rotating for the turn. (SECOND alternating arm recovering over the water is the standard for a DQ.) -SCULL/DOG-paddle AFTER ROTATING for the turn AFTER single or double simultaneous pull. -MISS the wall on the turn. (MAY 'back-in' if miss the wall as long as they STAY on the BACK. (Small distance.) (Once on the back after the flip/turn away from the wall, CANNOT go ONTO THE BREAST again on THAT TURN.) -NOT on the BACK, BY THE SHOULDERS, when the FEET LEAVE the wall. -Pulling on the lane ropes, intentional and inadvertent. Advantage over the other swimmers. (Push AWAY from the lane lines or side wall?) -Rotate onto the stomach, BY THE SHOULDERS, BEFORE touching the pad/wall at the finish. -Be COMPLETELY submerged at the finish. BREASTSTROKE - -START: Forward start is used. -BODY: On breast with shoulders LEVEL (horizontal) EXCEPT during the turn/finish. -UNDERWATER: On start and turn, MUST have ONE ARM PULL followed by ONE BREASTSTROKE KICK IN THAT ORDER.

3 (Hands MAY be past the HIPLINE w/no sculling and/or dog paddling.) 3. -MAY include ONE DOLPHIN KICK at ANY TIME BEFORE the FIRST breaststroke kick which MUST come after the FIRST pull. -Being wholly submerged or breaking the surface is NOT an issue. -Also NO 15 METER HERE! (Restricted by number of strokes underwater.) -Head MUST break the NORMAL RESTING SURFACE of the water BEFORE or AS the hands TURN INWARD at WIDEST part of the 2 nd stroke. OK if water FLOWS OVER THE HEAD. (Obvious when TWO strokes taken underwater or when hands turn inward before head surfaces.) -After that, NO hands past the HIPLINE AND some part of the head MUST break the surface of the water EACH stroke cycle. (Cycle = ONE PULL followed by ONE KICK, IN THAT ORDER, EXCEPT after the FINAL CYCLE prior to turn/finish.) There, a SINGLE arm pull is permitted, NOT a single SECOND kick. That is, NO 2 KICKS W/O pull. (NEVER!) NO 2 pulls w/o kick. -ARMS: Move together in the SAME horizontal plane. (Mirror each other.)(physical limitation?) -Hands move ON, ABOVE or UNDER the water. -Elbows MUST remain UNDERWATER EXCEPT during the LAST stroke at turn/finish. (NO butterfly, over water recovery.) -KICK: Feet drawn up toward the body with the knees bent. -Feet MUST turn OUTWARD for the propulsive portion of the kick. (NOT push out w/top of the feet.) -MUST push water BACKWARD (inward?) with the BOTTOM of the feet, NOT THE TOP of the feet pushing water DOWNWARD (Dolphin.) or inward or outward. (Backward?) -ALL movements of the legs and feet MUST be TOGETHER and in the SAME horizontal plane. -TURN: MUST touch with BOTH hands SIMULTANEOUSLY. -Turn in ANY manner. -MUST be TOWARD the breast (SHOULDERS at or past vertical) BEFORE the feet LEAVE the wall. -Shoulders MUST be level (horizontal) BEFORE the FIRST stroke. -MAY take ONE arm stroke WITHOUT kick at turn/finish. (NOT TWO KICKS without a pull.) -FINISH: TWO hand SIMULTANEOUS touch on touchpad/wall after completion of the required distance. MOST COMMON ERRORS BREASTSTROKE -Start out NOT breaststroke. (Usually alternating arms, crawl.) -MORE than ONE stroke, ONE dolphin kick and ONE breaststroke kick UNDERWATER especially at the start and turns. (Dive too deep?) (Also OUT OF CYCLE, sequence.) Dolphin, pull, kick OK. -Scull, dog-paddle, extra kicks, etc. at END of underwater stroke. (To get to the surface.) -Hands PAST hipline after FIRST stroke. (Usually multiple times or all the time. Their 'style?) -Push off wall on back. -Breast kick BEFORE the pull. -Pull BEFORE the shoulders are horizontal. -More than ONE underwater kick or ANY OTHER kick at START/TURNS. (Especially to reach the surface. And get a breath,) Going TOO DEEP is a good indicator that they MAY do something illegal to get to the surface. -Head only break the surface AFTER the hands start INWARD on SECOND stroke. (Tough call if close. Benefit of the doubt to the swimmer.) Fairly obvious if later as 'hands move forward'. (Old?) -Head NOT break surface ONCE EACH stroke cycle. -Arms ALTERNATE OR OVERWATER recovery. -Kick- scissor kick (one leg breast, one leg fly) or flutter (ankles cross).

4 -Kick- downward fly kick developed from flexing and FORCEFUL extending of the knee at ANY 4. time except the first stroke from start/turn. (Only ONE permitted at start/turn as above.) (Natural flow of the body?) (Also seen as swimmers approach the turn, last stroke, and are NOT in 'synch' at the wall.) In the middle of a stroke cycle. Easier to dolphin than recover and breast kick. Faster. -ONE hand or NON-SIMULTANEOUS touch at turn/finish. BUTTERFLY - -START: Forward start is used. -BODY: On breast except during the turn. -UNDERWATER: After the start/turn, ONE or MORE dolphin kicks and only ONE arm pull underwater. MAY be COMPLETELY submerged for a distance of NOT MORE than 15 meters. -ARMS: Both arms pull back together underwater. At any time, BOTH hands SHALL be in the SAME horizontal plane. Recovery should have WHOLE ARM from shoulder to wrist (ELBOW?) BREAK the SURFACE of the water at about SAME time. (ALL of BOTH arms from shoulder to wrist SHOULD BREAK the SURFACE of the water EACH stroke to be legal. Arms do NOT have to CLEAR the water.) Recovery must be SIMULTANEOUS. NO ONE ARM lagging behind.) -KICK: BOTH legs and BOTH feet move up and down in the SAME vertical plane at the SAME time. 'Lazy' foot' (one foot stays above/below the other) is OK, alternating flutter (ankles cross) is NOT). -TURN: TWO hand SIMULTANEOUS touch then turn in ANY manner. -Shoulders MUST be AT or PAST vertical toward the breast BEFORE the feet LEAVE the wall. -Shoulders horizontal PRIOR to the first pull. -FINISH: TWO hand SIMULTANEOUS touch on touch pad/wall after completion of the required distance. MOST COMMON ERRORS BUTTERFLY -Start out NOT butterfly. (Usually crawl, i.e. alternating arms.) -Freestyle kick, flutter, especially off the walls at start/turns. (NOT SO MUCH LATELY.)(Alternating legs ANY time. Ankles cross.) -Breaststroke FEET at end of straight legs especially every other kick. NOT using top of feet. -Arms NOT breaking the SURFACE of the water. (Very tough and tiring.) -Go FURTHER than 15 meters underwater BEFORE the head surfaces. (NOT JUST FOR BACKSTROKE ANYMORE!) -Small pull WITHOUT overwater recovery usually LAST STROKE approaching turn/finish. 'Out of sequence'. CAN kick into wall but some are NOT STRONG enough or NOT practice it enough. -HALF PULL, underwater recovery followed by FULL PULL and overwater recovery. Actually 2/3 and 2/3. 'DOUBLE stroke'. (Weaker swimmers, usually every stroke. Their style?)) -Scissor and/or breaststroke kick especially when TIRED, i.e. last lap or approaching any turn. -ONE hand or NON-SIMULTANEOUS touch at turn/finish. INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY - -ORDER: Butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and ANY stroke OTHER THAN the FIRST THREE. -Each swimmer SHALL adhere, during EACH quarter of the race, to the position, stroke, kick, turn AND FINISH rules governing the stroke being swum. (Start out NOT Butterfly, alt. arms.) -The FINAL leg requires the swimmer to be AT or PAST vertical toward the breast BEFORE any stroke, kick or PROPULSIVE MOTION. Crawl stroke on stomach is usually preferred. Especially NOTHING on BACK. (Little ones turning over to rest/breath?)

5 MOST COMMON ERRORS INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY 5. -Does NOT adhere to the form of EACH stroke during the appropriate quarter of the race. (Start NOT fly.) This includes the correct FINISH for each stroke within the race ESPECIALLY backstroke. NO 'turn over' flip turn from backstroke to breaststroke, NOT 'regular' back flip. MAY 'flip' backward IF touch the wall while STILL ON THE BACK first. RELAYS - MEDLEY RELAY ORDER: Backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and ANY stroke OTHER THAN the FIRST THREE. -Each swimmer SHALL adhere to the position, stroke, kick, turn and FINISH rules governing the stroke being swum. -The FINAL leg requires the swimmer to be AT or PAST vertical toward the breast BEFORE any stroke, kick or propulsive motion. (Again, not 'freestyle' but crawl on stomach.) NO backstroke. FREESTYLE RELAY - -ANY style(s) adhering to the turn and finish rules of freestyle. (Different from last ¼ of medleys.) RELAY EXCHANGES - -On the exchanges, the 2 nd, 3 rd and 4 th swimmers MAY be in MOTION BEFORE the previous swimmer finishes. (MUST still be in contact with the block/end wall when previous swimmer TOUCHES. (NO running start from deck OR from deck to block allowed.) NO FLIPS. -First three members of the relay teams SHALL leave the water by the FINISH END of the pool PROMPTLY after finishing their quarter of the race. (Usually by the time the previous swimmer is at the far end turn or passing the flags ON THE WAY BACK from the far end of the pool at the latest. (Touchpad delay usually 15 sec.) Generally about one length. (NOT exit late.) -If the swimmer CANNOT exit PROMPTLY, due to bulkhead height, strength, injury, etc.,they MAY stay in the water and AWAY(1 yard?)from the touchpad and remain in their OWN lane and hang on lane line WITHOUT interfering with swimmers in adjacent lanes. MOST COMMON ERRORS RELAYS -Errors in the INDIVIDUAL strokes being swum. -Second, third and fourth swimmer's feet LEAVE the block/deck BEFORE the previous swimmer has touched the wall. (Who's fault? Usually blame the swimmer off the blocks. (Our lingo. i.e.-#2 early) 25-30% of the time fault is with the swimmer in the water taking an EXTRA stroke OR gliding in.) (Exchange 1,2 or 3?) -First, second and third swimmer STAYS IN the water TOO long. (Touchpad delay ~ 15 secs.) -Jump in at the END of the relay to celebrate and BEFORE the meet is finished. (BVSSL only last heat of girls free relay could jump in after ALL of the heats AND TEAMS of free relays are finished.) STARTS FORWARD START -Blow long whistle. (This is when the event OFFICIALLY begins.) Swimmers to step up onto the blocks OR to the edge of the deck OR enter the water for an in-water start. (Alert starter/ref?) -Swimmers take ANY position on the starting blocks/deck with AT LEAST ONE foot at FRONT of the block/deck. (Toes NOT required over the edge. SAFETY? Advantage-grip AND time?)

6 -With the command, TAKE YOUR MARK, swimmers SHALL PROMPTLY assume a 6. STATIONARY position with FOOT/FEET at FRONT EDGE of the block/deck. (Watch for grabbing the block and LEANING back.) WAIT until ALL are STATIONARY, not 'motionless'. -When ALL are STATIONARY, the starter SHALL activate the starting device. -MAY start IN the water with AT LEAST ONE hand and ONE foot on the end wall/block AND be STATIONARY. (Requires a FEET FIRST entry. Step in. NO DIVING in. NO BACKSTROKE START allowed. Usually ask permission of or at least alert the starter.) -NO SECOND false starts allowed. Let heat proceed and DQ at the FINISH. NO RECALL!!! (Officials MUST agree in small pools or only responsible for ½ of the pool? VMAC Prelims and Finals I believe have dual confirmation.) MOST COMMON ERRORS FORWARD START -NOT AT THE BLOCKS on time to step up at the whistle. (Event starts with the whistle.) WAIT FOR HOW LONG? Or at all? Early heats only? Prelims vs. finals? Long days. -DELAY for broken goggle straps, need to tie my suit, wave to the grandparents, etc. WAIT FOR HOW LONG? Or at all? Early heats only? Prelims vs. finals? Long days. -NOT having ONE foot at front edge of the block. (Lane 2, move up to the front of the block.) (Some may not be aware of what lane they're in, especially younger ones.) -'Coming down' TOO SLOWLY. -NEVER became MOTIONLESS. (Not really necessary.) NOT MOVING FORWARD! -ROLLING. Leaning is OK. Leaning STOPS. ROLLING DOESN'T STOP! LET THEM FALL IN! -TOO long to get in position. (Lane 4, come down on the command!) Not down 'together'. **(Not really supposed to 'come down together'.) ** Only responsible for themselves. (9 ok,1?) -NO sling shot start. -STAND UP start is OK. (Paying attention? In the ozone?) (Lane 5, can you hear me?) -NOT ask permission or alert starter to enter water for in-water start.??? (Usually just a courtesy.) -UNNECESSARY delays in REPORTING to the blocks or ASSUMING a starting position. -Flinching. Usually not a problem unless followed by FORWARD movement. Was it an ADVANTAGE to the swimmer? Actually moving backward at start? (Watching 10 lanes.) STARTER'S AND REF'S call. (Dual Confirmation?) BACKSTROKE START - -Swimmers STEP IN and remain in the IMMEDIATE starting area. (Approx. within arms length of the wall +/-.) (Preventing delay of the meet and not having towait for swimmers to return to the wall.) -Face starting end with BOTH hands grasping HAND GRIPS (not platform) or wall AND BOTH feet in contact with the wall and NOT over the TOP of the gutter or touch pad. (Standing ON OR IN the gutter or curling the toes OVER the TOP lip of the gutter/pad DURING or IMMEDIATELY AFTER the start is NOT permitted. *CORRECT BEFORE STARTING THE HEAT!!! Ultimately the swimmer's responsibility.* -Starter SHOULD give the command to PLACE YOUR FEET. Check feet placement! -Upon the command, TAKE YOUR MARK, swimmers MAY assume ANY STATIONARY position. (Tendency to come up and THEN SETTLE BACK.) WAIT! (Not strong enough to hold up very long if at all.) Sling shot form of the start.'

7 MOST COMMON ERRORS BACKSTROKE START 7. -Does NOT WAIT for the command to STEP IN the water. -DIVES IN or JUMPS in TOO FAR from the wall. DELAY OF MEET. -NOT in 4-PART contact with block/wall. Grasps the platform. Possible? (Too high?) -Toes above or curled OVER THE TOP of touchpad/gutter. (Correct before start if possible.) -Does NOT become STATIONARY. (Up and settle?) -STAND ON touchpad OR IN gutter BEFORE the feet LEAVE the wall. STARTING - -Swimmers MUST have ONE or BOTH feet AT the FRONT EDGE of the block/deck BEFORE you say TAKE YOUR MARK. (Especially the younger age groups.) 'Lane 3, step forward'. (Do they even know what lane they are in? They did when they got there, I think.) -Say the command SLOWLY, like you're saying 'Open the door'. DROP the PITCH of your voice? -ALL swimmers SHOULD COME DOWN on the COMMAND and become STATIONARY. (Stand up start?) (MOST better swimmers will be down and only need to grab the block or tighten their grasp.) Swimmers CAN be charged with a false start if they come DOWN TOO SLOWLY. (Game playing? Did they hear the command? Are they paying attention?) 'Lane 5, come down quicker on the command.' -Say STAND UP or PLEASE STAND and try again. (Can also get a false start for rolling. They MUST STOP FORWARD MOTION.) Tough to get ALL 'STATIONARY' some times. Especially with 8 or 10 lanes. 'Sometimes as good as it gets is good enough.' Words for the whole meet? -If ALL are 'MOTIONLESS', better swimmers, START RIGHT AWAY, DON'T hold them. (Good practice to vary time between command and the 'beep', (?) but tougher to vary when trying to get 10 swimmers to start together.) Older way to operate under old FS rule. -If one or more keeps moving or goes in, say 'STAND UP or PLEASE STAND to RELEASE the others. Anyone who goes in AFTER STAND UP is NOT USUALLY charged with a false start UNLESS they DELAY the re-start or showoff. -There are NO SECOND CHANCES. (Slip in, lose balance?) Confirm with the official on the other side the pool in small pools. Write it down as FS. THAT SWIMMER(S) CANNOT SWIM. -If the race is started and you realize ONE or MORE swimmers have false started, LET IT GO and DQ that swimmer(s) at the END of the race. -If the starter hits the button a second time to recall the swimmers, stop them at the other end. Do NOT JUMP IN to stop them. Then run the next couple of heats and repeat that heat again. GENERAL MEET NOTES - -The purpose of stroke judging is to prevent ANY swimmer from gaining an UNFAIR advantage. (NO harm, NO foul?) Also need to teach proper strokes/procedures, otherwise they may never learn. -Everyone MUST adhere to ALL rules from the FIRST meet. NO first or second week passes for younger swimmers. (If they learn correctly DURING the season, FEWER SURPRISES at prelims/finals.) **You make our job easier at prelims/finals if you DQ EARLY AND OFTEN. ** -An illegal action only has to occur ONCE for that swimmer/relay to be DQ'd. If you see something out of the corner of your eye or you're NOT SURE what you saw, give the swimmer the BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT and watch to see if it occurs AGAIN before DQ'ing the swimmer/ relay. If you're NOT 100% SURE of the call... DO NOT MAKE THE CALL!!! (On the other hand, if you see an infraction, MAKE THE CALL RIGHT AWAY, DO NOT WAIT!)

8 -RAISE YOUR HAND overhead for a call. You can rescind or overrule a call, you can't call it 8. AFTER THE FACT! (If you DON'T raise your hand, IT'S AS IF THERE IS NO FOUL.) -Swimmers CAN be DQ'd for unsporting behavior. You know it when you see it or hear it. TAUNTING, LANGUAGE, tantrums, showing disgust with officials decisions OR THEIR OWN PERFORMANCE, interfering with officials, generally bad behavior/language, etc. -Write down the reason for each DQ. Write it on your heat sheet and alert the timers in that lane to put DQ on the timing sheet or card or report to scoring in some other manner. Coaches WILL ask you later. (They USUALLY know if most swimmers will DQ and may ask anyway.) Checking on you? (Notes don't have to be elaborate. K=kick, 1H= turn, 25= turn, FS=false start, next to lane etc.) -Try to have EQUAL coverage on BOTH sides of the pool. If it's IMPOSSIBLE to judge one corner of the pool, due to a diving well or other obstruction, the OPPOSITE corner, across the pool, should NOT BE JUDGED either. (Unfair to swimmers who get 'extra attention'. Equal time to all lanes, even if empty?) -MORE than 1 DQ per swimmer? (When you're out, you're out?) -On turns, if a swimmer pushes off UNDER the ropes and goes into the ADJOINING lane but does NOT interfere with the other swimmer, NO DQ is USUALLY called (judgement call) as long as he/she doesn't 'BREAK STROKE' getting back into his/her lane. -Swimmer MUST finish in their OWN LANE at prelims and finals to be LEGAL and SCORE points. (Dual meets less strict?) MUST also TOUCH THE PAD!!! COACHES PLS INSTRUCT YOUR SWIMMERS ON TOUCH PADS!. TOUCH, NOT PUNCH! -JURISDICTION refers to YOUR area of responsibility. Even if you see something in someone else's area, you DON'T call it because it's NOT YOUR AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY. (Talk to them?) -Judgement calls are those made by an official, not rules applications, that CANNOT be overridden by a head judge UNLESS the head judge happens to see it himself. Coaches and parents often see things differently OR see different things but that is why we strive to have IMPARTIAL officials. CONSISTENCY is what we are really looking for. CALL IT THE SAME FOR EVERYONE! NO VIDEO REVIEW! 'Unless all lanes, all meet.' Oly trials only for relay takeoffs?) ('But things happen at prelims that haven't happened ALL season.') -Swimmers CANNOT pull on the lane ropes or contact the BOTTOM of the pool for purposes of gaining an advantage during a race. (Pulling on the ropes may be inadvertent, still an advantage, still illegal.) (Standing on the bottom MAY violate the provisions of a stroke [not freestyle] and require a DQ. -Timers DO NOT judge or DQ. If a stroke judge does NOT SEE a DQ, the swimmer is considered 'LEGAL'. (If you don't see a call, say I missed it, I was distracted, I blew it... It happens.) -When judging relay take-offs, watch the FEET/FOOT of the swimmer ON THE BLOCK/deck. When their TOES LEAVE the block/deck, not 'EXTENTION of the pool' IMMEDIATELY move your DOWN to the wall to catch the previous swimmer's touch. If they HAVE TOUCHED AS YOU LOOK, they ARE LEGAL. Must see 'clear water for a DQ. -Remember to signal a DQ by raising your hand overhead. Make the call and maybe talk it out with another official and/or the referee. GET IT RIGHT. You CAN ALWAYS withdraw a DQ. -Only ONE swim suit is permitted. NO performance enhancing suits allowed. -Remember to dress for the weather and be COMFORTABLE. (HOT & COLD. One a year?)) -HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE! (Don't wait UNTIL you're thirsty. The meet will wait if you need to make a pit stop.) At prelims/finals we are on the deck for many hours. More of us. Rotate. -NO CELL PHONES!!!!! Leave it in your car. Turn it off. (Don't just silence it or put it on vibrate.)

9